Montevideo: Family Winery Tour & Lunch with Local Guide

Summary

Family-run vineyard tour with wine tasting and lunch near Montevideo

You’ll walk through family vineyards outside Montevideo, taste grapes straight from the vine, sample four local wines with snacks in a cool cellar, then linger over a three-course lunch paired with more wine. With hotel pickup and stories from your guide included, it’s an easygoing day you’ll remember long after you leave Uruguay.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about my Spanish when our driver picked us up in Montevideo — but as soon as we pulled into Pizzorno Winery, the air smelled like earth and something sweet, and any nerves just sort of faded. The owner’s son, Martín, greeted us with this easy smile and started telling stories about his grandfather planting the first vines here. He waved his hands a lot when he talked, which made me feel less self-conscious about my own accent. There were birds in the vines and you could hear them over the crunch of gravel under our shoes.

We wandered through rows of grapes (Tannat, mostly — Martín said it’s Uruguay’s pride), and he let us taste one right off the vine. It was smaller than I expected, almost tart. The sun was warm but not too much; I remember brushing dust from my jeans while Martín pointed out how they prune each plant by hand. I didn’t expect to care about grape leaves, but there’s something calming about seeing people work with so much patience.

Inside the cellar it was cool and smelled faintly of oak barrels. We tried four wines during the tasting — honestly, I lost track of which was which after the second glass because we were laughing with another couple from Brazil who kept mixing up “tannic” and “panic.” The snacks were simple but perfect: local cheese, bread that still felt warm. Lunch came after — three courses, all paired with more wine (I probably should’ve eaten slower). At one point Martín’s mother popped in to ask if we wanted more bread; she reminded me of my aunt back home.

I still think about that last glass of red in the sunlight before we left. It wasn’t fancy or rushed — just quiet conversation and a view over the vines. If you’re looking for a day trip from Montevideo that feels genuinely local (and includes pickup so you don’t have to worry), this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Winery Tour and Lunch

• Vineyard tour and family history
• Winery visit and wine tasting
• Lunch at the winery

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this winery tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Montevideo.

How many wines do you taste during the visit?

You’ll taste four different wines during the guided tasting.

Is lunch provided at Pizzorno Winery?

Yes, a three-course lunch is included with wine pairings.

Are children allowed on this winery tour?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; meals for infants/teens are not included.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the winery is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

How far is Pizzorno Winery from Montevideo?

The travel time is already included in the total duration; it’s close enough for a day trip from Montevideo.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

Yes, a local guide leads the vineyard and winery visit.

What language is the tour operated in?

The guide may speak multiple languages depending on guests’ needs.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Montevideo, guided visits through family vineyards and cellars with a local expert, tastings of four wines paired with snacks, plus a relaxed three-course lunch before heading back to your hotel by air-conditioned vehicle.